NPD arrest local man for importuning

On June 22^nd 2012, Gregory Noe was arrested and charged with Importuning after he made contact with what he thought were two girls ages 13 and 15 but were actually a Norwood Detective posing as such. Mr. Noe drove from his residence on Hunter Ave to the 3900 block of Montgomery Rd to meet the potential victims. When he arrived there, he was taken into custody. The investigation is ongoing. Investigators believe there are more victims out there based on the preliminary investigation. Anyone having information please contact Norwood Police or Crimestoppers at 352-3040.

Lt. Tom Williams

(513) 458-4545

World Choir Games coming to Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity Catholic Church is hosting a Free Friendship Concert on Sunday, July 8, from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.  Choirs that will be performing are the Hunter Singers of  Australia, the Samiweng Singers of the Philippines, Musica Sacra of Cincinnati, and Masterworks Chorale of Carroll County, Maryland.  For more information, call Alice Barnes at 631-0390 or Barb Moscoe at 731-7024.

Saturday tragedy on Baker Circle

Local media outlets have reported that Norwood resident Justin Turner took his life this past Saturday following a standoff with the Norwood police.  Following is Lt. Tom Williams' press release about the tragedy:

At approximately 0940 hours this morning, local bank representatives were attempting to secure the house located at 3 Baker Circle. When they entered the residence, they were confronted by Justin Turner 30 yrs old. Mr. Turner pointed a shotgun at them. The subjects left the residence and called 911. Upon arrival, Officers found that Mr. Turner had barricaded himself in the residence and was pointing the shotgun at his head. Officers backed off and notified the Hamilton County SWAT Team. SWAT Team members attempted to negotiate with Mr. Turner to come out peacefully. SWAT members also used tear gas, OC gas and diversionary devices to get Mr. Turner to comply but he refused to come out of the house. When SWAT members made entry they had found that Mr. Turner had taken his own life. The incident remains under investigation by Norwood Police.

No new information is available at this time. When new information becomes available, a follow up press release will be sent out.

Lt. Tom Williams
(513) 458-4545

Click here for the Enquirer article, and click here for Channel 12's account.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, June 26
Brain Camp
Be a gold medal winner in Brain Camp’s very own Olympic Games, join in the fun and learn some fascinating Olympic facts along the way.
1:00 p.m.; Ages 8-12
Registration Required

Finally, Xavier likely to start Montgomery Rd. development

Delayed since 2007 because of poor economic conditions, Xavier University’s long awaited project along Dana Avenue and Montgomery Road just may get underway staring next year.  Developers Messer Construction and Ackermann Group say the only piece left to complete financing for the first phase is federal approval for $40 million in New Market Tax Credits.  Norwood Building Commission Gerry Stoker said the city only has preliminary development plans, but he thinks the project could really happen this time – if the financing lines up.  “It does seem like a very doable plan,” he said.

Click here for the Enquirer article.

Tax Budget Hearing during July 10 City Council Meeting

Public Hearing
Tax Budget
For
The City of Norwood
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Time: 7:30 PM
Council Chambers
During the regular meeting of City Council.


On the agenda will be the proposed Tax Budget for the City of Norwood to be filed by July 20, 2012. The budget will be available for review in the Norwood Auditor’s Office (first floor of Norwood City Hall), Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

NPD: Copper in a baby stroller ends badly for suspected thief

According to Channel 12, David Henson, 22, was pushing a baby stroller Monday on Courtland Ave. when he saw a Norwood police officer.  Henson abandoned the stroller and started running away.  When the officer looked inside the stroller, he saw not a baby but, instead, cut pieces of copper.  Henson was arrested, but he is now free after posting a $2,000 bond.

NSL hosting Job Fair for Jack in the Box

Norwood Service League is hosting a JOB FAIR for Jack in the Box Restaurant Friday, June 29, from  10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at their Norwood location at 2071 Lawrence Avenue behind US bank off Montgomery Road.  Meet recruiters, fill out applications, ask questions.

Jack in the Box Restaurant is new to the Cincinnati market with one restaurant locating on Ridge Ave. and the other one on Tylersville Road. They are seeking 200 employees per site. Good pay, benefits, and more.

Band Boosters’ treasurer repays stolen $8000, accepted into diversion program

Channel 12 is reporting that longtime Norwood Band Boosters’ treasurer Sherri Walker, charged with stealing $8,000 of the group’s funds, has offered various explanations why the money “disappeared” from her home where she kept it following a November fundraiser.  When boosters’ checks started bouncing early this year, she responded by submitting  fraudulent bank statements to both the organization and school officials.  Then when questioned by the Norwood Police in March, she now says she lied when she told them she took the money to pay for her husband’s medical bills.  Channel 12 reports she’s also said she’s taking responsibility although someone else in her household actually took the money. 

Walker refused an on camera interview with reporter Rich Jaffe but did admit she took the money.  NCS Superintendent Rob Amodio agrees with this version and told Jaffe by phone that “flat out that Walker stole from Norwood's children.”

Fortunately for Norwood’s band members, Walker has repaid the money, which Band Boosters raise throughout the year expressly to help pay for childrens' fees to attend band camp each summer. As for Sherri Walker, she has been accepted into the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s diversion program for first time offenders.

Click here to view the Channel 12 video and transcript.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, June 19
Wii 1-2-3
Sign up in advance to guarantee yourself a time slot of playing Wii games! 1 pm and 2 pm time slots are reserved for kids 12 and under. The 3 pm time slot is exclusively for teens. Snacks will be served.
Registration recommended.
Time: 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.

An inside look at Seek Research on Norwood Ave.

Have you driven by this impressive renovated office building at 2368 Norwood Avenue at Forest Avenue and wondered what the inside looks like?  Well, wonder no more.  Thanks to one of our readers, here’s a link to some interior/exterior pics of the innovative Norwood firm Seek Research and an interview with one of their principals.  He describes his growing company as “a boundary-pushing innovation boutique that integrates insight, inspiration and ideas anchored in raw consumer empathy.”  Seek purchased this early 1900’s building in 2009.  We wish them much continued success!

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Tuesday, June 12
Honey Hill Farm Petting Zoo!
Visit the Norwood Library to meet animals from Honey Hill Farm!
2:00 p.m., All ages

Register for Summer Reading Program at Norwood Library

Guest blog by Megan Brandmaier

Get ready to rock and READ! The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County wants you to get with the beat this summer and jam with our 39th Annual Summer Reading Program! From June 1 to July 31, everyone—preschoolers, kids, teens, and grown-ups—is invited to join in the fun at a Library location near you.

Your family will flip for the prizes we have on the stage! Complete the First Level of the program to receive a book. Keep reading to earn more prizes! Readers of all ages are eligible for chances to win family four-packs to a Cincinnati Reds game or tickets for performances by the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra. Be the lucky winner of a random drawing at your Library location, and you could also win a grand prize! A grand prize will be awarded to one winner in all four age categories at each of our 41 locations. Preschoolers could win a LeapFrog Tag, kids and teens are eligible to win an iPod Touch and $25 Gold Star Gift Certificate, and adults can win a Sony e-Reader.

Our line up of programs will keep you and all of your family members reading until the stage lights fade. Save the dates for these programs you won’t want to miss at the Norwood Branch Library 4325 Montgomery Rd, 513-369-6037)!
·    Movers & Shakers every Weds. 10 am. (for ages 1-4)
·    Preschool Story Time every Weds. 11 am. (for ages 3-6)
·    Lego Club, the first Saturday of every month at 4 pm. (for ages 6-12)
·    Balloon Man Dan, Tues. June 5th at 1 pm. (for families)
·    Make a Rock Star Wrist Band, Thurs. June 7th at 2 pm (for teens)
·    Family Karaoke Night, Thurs. June 7th at 6 pm. (for all ages)
·    Honey Hill Farm Petting Zoo, Tues. June 12th at 2 pm. (for all ages)
·    Wii 1-2-3, Tues. June 19th at 1 pm and 2 pm for kids (ages 8-12) and 3 pm for teens.  (ages 12-18)
·    Olympic Games Brain Camp, Tues. June 26th at 1 pm. (ages 8-12)
·    Family Movie Day, Tues. July 2nd at 2 pm. (for families)
·    Arts and crafts camp, Tues. through Thurs. July 10-12 at 1 pm. (ages 6-12)
·    The Second Greatest Magician, Tues. July 17th at 2 pm. (all ages)
·    Make Your Own Recycled Paper, Tues. July 24th at 2 pm. (ages 6-12)
·    Dulcimer Society… Hear Appalachian Music and Try Out the Instruments!  Tues July 31 at 2 pm. (all ages)

Summer Reading has other great benefits for your family, too. Studies show that library summer reading programs can help prevent the loss of kids’ reading skills due to time away from school. Plus, by participating in Summer Reading along with your children, parents become reading role models. This is one of the best ways to get your kids excited about reading.   


Sign up as a family and log your hours online or print out a log and track your reading on paper.

It’s free, fun, and easy! Join the band today by clicking here to register online.

Happy reading this summer!

Megan Brandmaier
Children’s Librarian   
Norwood Branch Library

Norwood Gold Star closes, may try to relocate closer to Xavier

The Business Courier is reporting that Gold Star Chili has closed its Edwards Road & Williams Ave. location to make way for Mercy Health System’s new $20 million medical office building.  Gold Star CEO Mike Rohrkemper says the company is “actively engaged in seeking a high-profile location within three to five miles of the closed Smith-Edwards restaurant.”  According to the Biz Courier, the new location might be closer to the Xavier campus.

Community Development Committee meeting today

City Council's Community Development Committee is meeting today at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall to discuss the following agenda items:

1.  Community Development Update
2.  Housing Incentives
3.  Montgomery Road Update
4.  New Business

Everyone's invited to the 9th annual Norwood Hometown Fireworks

The Norwood Fireworks Committee would like to invite everyone to the ninth annual Norwood Hometown Fireworks Celebration Wednesday, July 4, at Shea Stadium.  Gates will open at 6:00 p.m.

Featured entertainment:

1. New this year is Hot Wax, an exciting, high-energy '50's - '60's show band.
2. Rozzi's Famous Fireworks will provide a dazzling display of fireworks with a breathtaking finale.
3. The ever popular Stattman from B105.1 FM will do a broadcast onsite, complete with giveaways and games to play.
4. Cincinnati Zoo's Wings of Wonder will bring amazing birds for the crowd to enjoy.

The evening emphasizes fun for the whole family.  You can expect food and refreshments, as well as patriotic songs, face painting and castle bound.  No alcohol, coolers and pets are permitted on the stadium grounds or parking lots.

We have been honored with a generous contribution from the Carl H. Lindner Family.  This permits us to provide all our citizens with an event that is free and open to the public.  We are also pleased to recognize local businesses and civic groups that support the event through advertising and sponsorship dollars, as well as good old fashioned "volunteerism."  Sponsors include Carew International, Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions, Cintel, Cumulus, Norwood Business & Professional Women's Club, United Dairy Farmers, and The Urology Group.

The "Master of the Fireworks" portion of the program will feature 20 student finalists selected from Norwood elementary schools.  All finalists are introduced to the crowd , and one finalist will be selected as the designated "Master of the Fireworks" for 2012.  He or she will light the "signal rocket" for Rozzi to being the fireworks show.

Community awareness of this hugely popular summertime event continues to grow.  This will be an evening of fun for families and friends to enjoy.

Happy Birthday, America!

The Norwood Fireworks Committee

Click here for the Fireworks schedule on the City of Norwood homepage.

This week at the Norwood Branch Library

Monday, June 4
Intro to eBooks
Learn how to search, borrow, and download free eBooks from the Library’s website
6:30 pm

Tuesday, June 5
Balloon Day!
Celebrate the beginning of the 2012 Summer Reading Program! Get a balloon animal specially made by Balloon Man Dan. Sign up for Summer Reading too!
1:00 p.m., Families

Thursday, June 7
Teen Craft Club
Get together with old friends and new ones to make a “rock band”, a glitzed up fashion wristband. Cool for guys and girls.
2:00 p.m., Ages 12-18

Thursday, June 7
Karaoke Night
Show off your pipes at Family Night this year by singing a round with the karaoke machine. Amount of time for songs will be limited, so you’ll want to sign up to guarantee yourself a chance to sing!
6:00 p.m., Families